A major tube strike has shut down much of the London Underground network today.
Four Tube lines are completely closed 24 hours a day for Transport for London (TfL) staff, while six are operating a “special service”, with trains only operating on less central sections.
London Overground, DLR, London Tram, London Bus and National Rail services are up and running, but are expected to be “busier than usual”, TfL warned, as the Elizabeth line could see closures at stations also served by the metro.
TfL advises people to “avoid traveling whenever possible” and to keep essential commutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The RMT union says the action is in response to proposals that would eliminate 600 jobs and break current labor agreements, with General Secretary Mick Lynch calling for “a direct face-to-face meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to resolve this mess “.
“It doesn’t make sense for our union to continue to be in front of management representatives who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a deal, when the power lies with the mayor,” he said.
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The Fire Department expresses its solidarity with TfL workers
The Fire Brigade has expressed its solidarity with the participants in today’s Tub strikes.
“Firefighters know first-hand that cutting jobs does not improve services,” the union tweeted.
“RMT Union not only fights for the livelihood of its workers, but also for the safety and accessibility of the public in the London Underground.”
Labor MPs Andy McDonald and Paula Barker are also among those who have expressed solidarity with TfL workers involved in today’s action.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 3:29 PM
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Why are TfL workers on strike?
Here’s an infographic shared by RMT’s Bakerloo branch explaining why TfL workers are on strike.
Staff are on strike to “stop job cuts, defend our conditions and protect our pensions,” says RMT, attacking TfL leaders for “complying with Conservative demands” on conditions imposed on financial bailouts. in the short term during the pandemic, which has referred to these three areas.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 2:52 PM
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“Chaos”: London’s stranded travelers react to the strike action
Here are some thoughts from travelers caught up in this morning’s 24-hour strike, which saw 4,000 members of the RMT Union march as part of a job and pension dispute.
Miguel Basantes was stranded at Paddington Station while trying to get to work in Hampstead.
The 54-year-old construction worker described the situation as “chaos,” he told the PA news agency: “There were a lot of people on Liverpool Street and I was waiting 20 or 30 minutes. I don’t know. how to go to work “.
Among the frustrated passengers gathering at the entrance to Waterloo Station was Charlotte, of Surbiton, who said she wasn’t sure if she could complete her trip to Canary Wharf, after traveling for almost a week. hour.
“We’ll see if something opens, and I’ll go home if I don’t,” he said. “I’m pretty sure everyone will be late to come today.”
“I don’t necessarily see the reason for the strike,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily seem justified to cause so much disruption, especially when London is back in operation. It seems like a big setback for the city.”
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 2:11 PM
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Number 10 condemns a “deeply disappointing” strike.
Downing Street has condemned the “deeply disappointing” strike on the London Underground, calling it “industrial relations” for Transport for London “a matter for TfL and the mayor”.
“This kind of action is deeply disappointing and not what the public wants to see, not what we want to see for companies still trying to recover from the pandemic. People’s lives are being altered in London.” , said Boris Johnson’s official spokesman.
“Obviously, labor relations at TfL are a matter for TfL and the mayor, but it is clear that under the current funding agreement, TfL must take all reasonable steps to prevent labor actions.”
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 1:37 PM
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“I don’t want to see a strike,” says Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has not said whether he supports the Tube strikes, but has accused the government of “starving TfL of the money it needs”.
“What I want is for the strikes to end and for this to be resolved. That should be resolved by negotiation in the end, “the Labor leader told LBC, adding: ho. is being resolved. I think they need to be resolved. I think that’s in everyone’s best interest. “
He accused the government of “starving TfL of the money it needs”, adding: “The fall is actually a direct result of the approach the government is taking.”
Pressed on whether he supports the strike, he added: “Look, I don’t want to see a strike. I want to see this resolved. I want to see this negotiated to reach an agreement. I think the failure or inability to cover these 600 jobs has to do with government funding, so we cannot expect the government to be an impartial observer here, they are a central player and they need to take a step back. and establish funding “.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 1:05 PM
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Buses and unaffected lines are “busier than usual,” TfL warns
While buses, the DLR, the Elizabeth line, trams and ground services are not affected by today’s strikes, they are “busier than usual,” TfL warned.
The transport authority urged Londoners to give more time for travel and to consider alternatives such as walking and cycling.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 12:37 PM
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The strike is causing further congestion on London’s roads
The tube strike has caused roadblocks in London, affecting private cars, commercial vehicles and buses.
Location technology company TomTom said the road congestion level was 71 percent at 8 a.m., up from 64 percent a fortnight earlier.
The figures represent the proportion of extra time required for travel compared to free-flow conditions.
Zoe Tidman June 6, 2022 12:00 p.m.
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How are travelers reacting?
Travelers from London have tried to navigate the capital, as the usual routes have stopped.
Construction worker Miguel Basantes was stranded at Paddington Station while trying to get to work in Hampstead.
The 54-year-old said: “There were a lot of people on Liverpool Street and I was waiting 20 or 30 minutes. I don’t know how to get to work.”
Meanwhile, Kundan Darla, a 25-year-old restaurant employee, said, “I think it’s bad, I’m too late to work.”
Paul Glennon, a 52-year-old construction worker in central London, said: “It’s back to reality for all of us. No more parties and parades.
“I spent the whole morning going up and waiting for full buses in the rain.”
Passengers try to board a bus outside Victoria train station while a London Underground strike
(AFP via Getty Images)
Zoe Tidman June 6, 2022 11:21 AM
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Rail strikes “not necessarily the best way to secure a strong future for industry”
London is once again engulfed in a subway strike involving members of the RMT union. Transport for London, which manages the tube, is accused by the union of threatening 600 jobs, breaking labor agreements and posing an “imminent threat to pensions”. Railroad unions have also been planning the largest train strike across the country for decades.
In his latest travel podcast, travel correspondent Simon Calder says, “I fully understand where Tube workers and railroad workers come from. They were expected to work throughout the Covid process and keep the country moving.”
But, as he points out, public transportation finances have been utterly ruined by the coronavirus pandemic. There is a funding deficit of at least 20 percent, and railroads, both on the ground and on the ground, depend on taxpayer support to keep them running.
“I am not convinced that today’s strike, and the planned national railway shutdown for the summer, is necessarily the best way to ensure a strong future for the industry,” he says.
Simon Calder June 6, 2022 11:00 AM
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How can travelers move around London during today’s Tube strike?
A widespread strike by Transport for London workers has seen the closure of the Tube network in the city center today.
Interruptions are expected to continue until after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7.
TfL advises customers to “avoid traveling whenever possible on Monday 6 June” and “avoid traveling before 8.00” on Tuesday.
“If you need to travel, leave more time for your trip,” the council says.
But if you have an essential trip, how can you get around London today?
Read our guide to available transportation options:
Helen Coffey June 6, 2022 10:57 AM